IFC Midnight will release ‘The Babadook’

IFC Midnight has acquired the rights to Jennifer Kent’s, The Babadook. The horror film had a premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight Section.

Jonathan Sehring, president of Sundance Selects/IFC Films, told The Hollywood Reporter, "This is an extraordinary debut feature from a brilliant Australian filmmaker named Jennifer Kent who has crafted the perfect classic horror film. We were blown away by the two lead performances in the film, and we believe that people will see this film and realize that Jennifer Kent has arrived as one of the great new horror filmmakers."

The Babadook is the story of a single mother who has to cope with the violent death of her husband. It stars Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, and Daniel Henshall. Essie Davis is originally from Tasmania, Australia and was known for her roles in The Matrix Revolutions and Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Screen Australia is a major investor in the film, according to Variety. Screen Australia supported promotional efforts for The Babadook at the Sundance Film Festival. Other films in the Midnight Section at Sundance included The Guest, Cooties, Killers, and The Signal.